Fisheye No. 2: The Most Fun You Can Have Without Taking Any Clothes Off

I love compacts and I love fisheye photography, what would be the perfect camera to satisfy these two loves? The Lomography Fisheye No. 2. Small, light, compact, and cheap. It fits into a coat pocket for fisheye fun, the perfect party camera. Man it's fun!

I have always really loved fisheye photography and have recently found a love for compacts, I had always been aware of the Fisheye No. 2, but I wasn’t sure about buying it.

One day I was shopping with my girlfriend in Leeds, we dropped off some films to be developed at a small camera shop, I noticed they had Fisheye No. 2 in but didn’t think anything of it, as we walked around Leeds shopping there was something bugging me “Why didn’t I buy it?.” I decided I must buy the camera, we went to pick up the film and I bought the camera.

The next day eager to use my brand new purchase we went on a walk. I loaded the Fisheye No. 2 with my favourite film, Lucky SHD 100 and off we went.

As this was my first time useing the camera, I decided to try some more “serious” shots, that weren’t what you’d class as lomography, and to my surprise the shots came out beautifully.

Here are some shots from that film.

The camera itself is made of plastic but has some bits of metal. It doesn’t feel too weak in the hands and is light and easy to both carry and hold. It has 3 modes “L” for lock, “N” for normal and “B” for bulb and it also has a really nice “mx” switch for multiple exposures, although I haven’t experimented with that yet. My only complaints are that it doesn’t have a tripod mount or a threaded shutter release for use of cable release. My favourite features are the hot shoe and what is attached to that hotshoe, the fisheye viewfinder. This may not sound like much but it is incredibly useful when composing shots like this, this is also my favourite shot off the first roll and, in my opinion, looks like it’s taken with an SLR.

The following Saturday we had been invited to one of Kate’s friend’s birthday party. I had seen many shots with the Fisheye No. 2 taken at parties so I didn’t think twice about taking it with me, this time loaded with Fuji superia 400 colour film, and this time I decided to shoot without using the viewfinder and play with the light.

I received many complements on the camera and one girl referred to the styling as “steam punk”. Everyone wanted a go but I didn’t let the camera out of my grasp. I experimented with the rear curtain sync built in flash and I put it in bulb mode opened the shutter moved the camera around and then pointed at my subject, released the shutter which fired the flash.

Here are some shots from the party:

I really love everything about the photos, they are unique and as the lens is so wide “170 degree view” you really can capture the party very well.

Here is my favourite shot from the party and my favourite shot ive taken with this camera so far, My friend Conor decdided it would be a good idea to shake up a bottle of lemonade open it, as he opened it I held out my Fisheye No. 2 and snapped, lemonade went everywhere including onto my lens:

The lemonade that went on my lens gave a great effect in a later photo before I wiped it off:

Those are the only 2 rolls i have shot so far, but I am very very happy with the results. I know for a fact that this camera won’t get used as much as my other cameras, but it’s a camera for certain occasions. I know exactly which camera I will take to any party I go to. I will also use this one for photographing my friends skateboarding, or whenever I am looking for fun and for a different way of shooting. I will reach for my fantastic Lomography Fisheye No. 2.

Fisheye No. 2 has a 170-degree wide angle view and stunning barrel distortion. Now with a hotshoe and multiple and long exposure capabilities, the world’s greatest compact Fisheye camera is now more amazing than you ever thought possible! Available in different colours and special designs.

Wonderful review; I love this camera also. however, my main issue with it is that the large rim on the lens (which was not on the original fisheye) really can get in the way of the flash. is it's advisable to get a second flash if you want perfect lighting. I am hoping one day for a Fisheye No.3 to materialize with updated features but i'm not holding my breath.

i've also been dilly-dallying buying the camera. I really want it, but i wasnt sure. But i think ur review has quite a job of convincing me to go get it. I'm getting it for my birthday in 2 weeks!!! :) Awesome shots btw.

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